My Canadian Bucket List: See Mounties

The Mounties or The Royal Canadian Mounted Police  if you want to get fancy are one of those things just synomous with Canada. I don't know anyone who hasn't heard of them.

They're one of those things that are also so famous or rather infamous that you or maybe it's just me kinda forget that they have a purpose. They're not just there to be a cultural thang.

They're like legit real police.

Since I don't plan on doing anything illegal or having anything bad happen there was little chance of me seeing them. Until I went to the Pride Parade.

Quick side note, Pride here is all about the companies, organisations and groups showing how they support all people regardless of their sexuality and orientation. Canadians really are that nice. So there were representatives from all the civil groups at Pride including the police, the fireman, politicians, companies, etc.

Because the Mounties are awesome, they were there too. I went a little nuts.They are just as fabulous as I imagined.

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My Canadian Bucket List: Tim Hortons

Is there any other way for me to start a to-do list than with food? I suppose I wouldn't be myself if I didn't.

So as briefly mentioned, Tim Hortons is a chain here. They started in 1964 and I see them everywhere. I see a lot of people carrying their coffees so I assumed it would be delicious. I also know they're the main coffee brand in the rest of Canada, but here in Vancouver, most people prefer Starbucks.

So one morning after doing some room-viewing, I found myself in a Tim Hortons. Their menu is good. Their food is good; especially the breakfast stuff and the Timbits which are little bits of heaven. Their coffee? I was not in a happy place.

First I thought it was the type of coffee I ordered; a drip/filter one. So then I ordered a latte. I was so pleasantly surprised by the amazing price I almost ignored how bad it tasted. To me it was really bad. Not un-drinkable but definitely not my first choice.

Since then, I have had their frozen coffee which is pretty good. I'm not sure what they're doing to their other version. I've also had their frozen lemonades which are amazing. And I've pretty much worked my way through their food menu. So technically's Canada Favourite is okay.'

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My Canadian Bucket List

So I decided to make a list of some exciting things to do, eat, drink and try while I'm here. The list is pretty small at the moment  but I'll update it as I go along. 

If you want to see my daily life in Vancouver, check my Instagram. There's a feed to the right as well. I (try to) document each of my 365 days. There are days when things are so bland I don't want to put you through that pain.

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One Month In!

Yay for me, I survived a month in a new city without a job and friends. Disclosure, it’s a few days short of a month but 29 Days In just doesn’t have the same ring to it. Also I make I sounds as if the city I moved to has been taken over by a zombie army hellbent on killing me with no running water and no other survivors.

I probably could not have picked a better place to try this whole year abroad thing. First of all, everyone is friendly and lovely. Secondly it’s a bonafide First World Country which means luxuries for days. Thirdly, it’s summer which just makes everything better. And finally I’ve been working my ass off so I’m kinda reaping a bit of what I sowed.

To begin…I have sent out 74 job applications in the month I have been here. I have joined five temp agencies/recruiters.  I have been on 23 interviews including three group interviews which are the worst thing ever. I’m not sure why they are a thing. I have walked from one end of the city to the other in a blazer trying to look professional but merely looking sweaty and red-faced. I have printed a gazillion copies of my resume and references and I can now school people on my cover letter skills.

So after all that, I can say that I am on my first temping assignment and it’s all going well. I am enjoying not perusing Craigslist daily for a new job (until the assignment ends and then I’ll be bookmarking that shit) and it’s great to feel productive. Before this my only achievement was not eating junk food. As is life, I've also be contacted for more interviews while on this placement. Obviously I cannot go which means the universe is just taunting me again. Like that time I thought I had lost weight but my jeans actually just stretched.

In case you didn't realise, this is the pink strip in Vancouver.

 This job couldn't have come at a better time. Vancouver is very expensive. That’s all aspects of Vancouver. If you’re willing to shop around, you can definitely be smart about saving money. But housing and transport will kill you. The transport is great here. The trains are fast and always on time. The buses are mostly always on time. And they’re a bit more confusing. But I’m making my way. I am started to worry when it gets colder or wet. I’m not so sure I’ll be lamenting the joys of the public transport then. Unless you’re really lucky, you need public transport to and from your place of work. This is where the costs creep up on you like a dodgy guy at a club. The nice thing is once you move to the right Zone, you will be saving daily. The bad news is there’s just no way around the cost though.

So apart from being a working girl, I also moved. My dream was to live Downtown. The rents crushed that dream. Unless of course I was open to sharing a room, literally living in a living room or in a closet (no joke) I was not going to be able to afford it on my savings. So I started to look around (never giving up hope on that Downtown dream though) and I found cheaper, worse, okay, better and nicer places. 

This is bike polo. Which is real. Apparently. 

Some of them had weird rules, others were a health hazard. But in the end I found a great house with other people from around the world. It’s close to the trains, the neighbourhood is pretty and the WiFi is included. I just need a moment to discuss the amount of available WiFi in this city. I love walking past all the places I've visited and have my phone instantly connect. It’s definitely one of those things I’ll miss.

My new hood. 

Other highlights in my life are:

Experiencing my first bit of rain. It was a light drizzle, it was humid and my hair didn’t go big.

Watching the fireworks at English Bay for the Celebration of Light. We went to watch France’s night and even managed to score free tickets to the observation deck.

The Pride Parade! Not just the parade but the build-up like the stadium being lit up in rainbow colours, Davie Street and getting free shit. People walk the parade and hand out stuff. It’s amazing. I walked away with two rainbow flags, beads, coffee, band-aids, seeds, sweets and condoms. Lots of condoms.

Discovering Michaels craft shop. If you know me, really me, you'll know how much this means.

I'm still enjoying all the coffee. I now just have the iced versions.

Ex-Oh! Ex-Oh! 

An Update...

...So here are how things are in Canada. Different is not even the word. I've included some pictures of Vancouver throughout the post.

The Job Situation

So there seems to be lots of jobs available in Vancouver. Even more if you are like me and are not picky. At the moment, I am still not used to this whole not working thing and need something to keep me going. I much prefer lounging around all day if I know my bills are paid. So I have exhausted Craigslist and applied for all things my experience allows me to try out for. I also applied for minimum wage jobs as well as junior jobs and many jobs that I have no experience in but that I think I'd be great at.

Canadian employers do not think I'm that great. Or if they do, they are very subtle about it. By subtle I mean, you do not hear any feedback. I am close to 50 job applications in the two weeks I have been here, I have probably heard back from 7. And hearing back sometimes is a phone interview which is a precursor to an actual interview. Getting the actual interview is a whole other ball game. Never ever will I be unappreciative of the simple "Your application has not been successful." automated email. At least that gives me closure.

The only way I handle all of this while remaining positive (because I have literally only been here for 18 days and it's not the worst thing ever) is my years of experience dealing with boys who never get back to me. I have been on many dates with guys where I feel I show off my impressive pop culture knowledge, my amazing jokes (this one's debatable) as well as all my great wife material skills. And then after a few days I hear zilch from the boys. At first I wonder why, why, like seriously why not. I'd date the hell out of me. I have friends and gay guys who would all want a piece of this but not this guy. And then I get super mad at the boy. How dare this simple boy who isn't even that cute reject me. Does he not know how lucky he would have been to have this on his arm. I could have rocked his world. And then I use a lot of four letter words and curse the day he was born. Then I get a little sad and then I realise, screw it, I have other shit to worry about.

So at the moment, I still apply to all jobs and I only spend a few minutes thinking about how the employers are missing out on their one in a million.

The Living Situation

Oh boy, is this a tough one too. I lived in the city in Cape Town and it was everything. I grew up in the suburbs and I can tell you, I belong in a city. I like noise, I like shops and bars and I like walking places, taking cheap taxis, being around people. I don't want gardens, I don't want quiet, I don't want suburbia. I have nothing against it but I feel for a new city, I need to be in the thick of things. Sadly, Vancouver does not want me to be happy.

The places in the centre of town, Downtown, the West End, Coal Harbour, Yale Town, are available. But they cost millions of rands. False, they don't cost that much but when you are unemployed and still thinking in another currency, they seem like the unattainable dream. And the majority of rooms that are available are scary.

A big thing in Vancouver is sharing rooms. There are a lot of colleges and universities so it makes sense. Except when you are 27. Because I ain't got time for that. So that immediately crosses out all the great places in my budget. The ones at the end of my budget are also great, if they were private rooms. Another Vancouver thang is living rooms, i.e. people sleeping in living rooms. It's so common to view a great room and find out that it's actually a cordoned-off living room. Normally they're a huge space which if desperate could work. Other times it comes with weird rules like the one guy who stated no noise after 8pm. Not no cooking or no watching TV, no noise. Not even bathroom visits. There was more than one reason I declined that place.

So sadly it looks like my dreams of being in the Downtown area are being squashed. The only good news is that there is more than one happening area. This is not like new up-and-coming areas but there are other places that have noise and bars and shops and people my age that tick all of my boxes. And they're in my price range. So things are looking up.

The Other Stuff

I am obsessed with root beer. I buy lots of it.

I am in a coffee lover's dream world. Everywhere I look I am able to get a cup. It costs a lot so I save it for treats. And I get mad when they misspell my name.

Drinking costs a lot here. So when I do have a drink I savour it. I also have a new appreciation for ciders
and beers. You get a lot here and it's the cheaper option.

Canadians are still very nice.

Ex-Oh! Ex-Oh!

Some Observations about Vancouver and Canada

*The people are incredibly friendly. At times I'm so caught off guard, I look around waiting for the cameras to be revealed and the big announcement I'm on a reality TV show. I get asked a lot for directions for some reason and whenever I apologise that I don't know and I'm new, the first response is always "Welcome to Canada" and all the places they are meant to be are forgotten.

*The people are extremely patriotic. There is nothing more they love than their country. Which I really like. They're not pompous and arrogant about their country, they just love it. They also tend to think everything outside of their country is bad. Not in a mean way but whenever I say I'm not used to something or this is different, the reply is "You're in Canada now." The same way you'd say to someone running away from an ax murderer, "You're in a safe place now."

*The coffee culture is massive here. I have seen every demographic, race, age and income bracket carrying a takeaway coffee cup. Even their homeless people are rocking their daily Starbucks. And I cannot blame them, there is literally a coffee shop everywhere you turn. There are even drive-thru coffee shops. Because you know how taxing it is to actually park your car and walk into the shop. That comment was meant to be tongue-in-cheek but actually writing made me realise how great this would on the morning drive to work.

*The job market is very different here. It's the norm for Canadian employers to take a little longer to get back to you. And I thought Cape Town was laid-back. Vancouver makes us look like Joburg. I've signed up with a few recruitment agencies but even before you get a job, you have to do these admin tests. They test your proficiency in Word, Excel, Powerpoint and email. Whatever skills you thought you had, fly out the window and you wonder "How the fuck do I type?" which was my thought constantly. They also do not always let you know your results. So you have no idea how (badly) you did.

*So. Many. Asian. Babies.

*The place is filled with beautiful people. More importantly skinny people. And I do not know how they do it. Apart from the coffee shops, there are fast food and other eateries everywhere. And they're always full. And the fast food is cheap and can fill you up for the day. As I found out on more than one occasion. I don't even need my usual order of fries on the side. But no one here looks like they are struggling with weight. I secretly hate them for it.

*You walk a lot. There are buses and trains and seabuses but still getting to them takes a bit of walking. I don't miss my car as much as I thought I would but having to plan my day takes longer. I always misjudge the distance. On the plus side, all this walking has made me a lot fitter than I have been in months. And the best bit at the end of the day, I am so tired I don't need to snack on bad food. Which is also readily available.

*This is Vancouver's public library. It has five floors. Self-checkout. A coffee shop. A gift shop. And it's free. First World Bitch!

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Vancouver, eh!

So last week Tuesday I took an early evening flight to what I hoped would be the big great risk of my life. I've always played it safe so the fact that I hopped on a plane (after years of planning and not spontaneously mind you, I'm not completely crazy) to a place I'd never been, didn't know anyone and was not guaranteed a job was a big thing.

On the day I was chilled. At the airport, much to the disgust of some of my friends (you know who you are girl) I was chilled. On the flight to London, I was chilled. The whole big thing, apart from not being employed ,has been one great big ride and I'm still very happy and not at all scared. Knowing myself, I do expect a freak out soon. One of those panic attacks where I cannot stop crying and look gross and people actively avoid me because I look so bad, they think it's contagious.

So after a long-ass flight to London on British Airways - which was actually lovely. Delicious food (still a fat kid), extra pillow and had an empty seat next to me so I could sleep for a while. I arrived at Heathrow, nearly freaked out at Passport control, both because I was nervous and scared and also because I saw Amish people. Then I made my way to Terminal 2. With about 90 minutes to kill and 20 pounds I soon made friends with all the coffee shops. I also spent way too much time in Boots. Their entire miniature travel range is enough to bankrupt me. I wanted to buy everyone despite the fact that I had proper, normal-sized versions of everything in my suitcase. I ended up only getting some Soap and Glory stuff on their 3-for-2 special.

Since I didn't know when I was next going to be touching down in London town, ever the grownup, I spent the rest of the money on sweets. Mostly for the plane but also for my host. One more coffee and then I made my way to the Air Canada terminal.

Oh Air Canada. After a really good flight on BA, Air Canada was a bit of a change. The flight was safe, the hostesses friendly and the entertainment good but it was just different. A little bit less glam but again, safe and friendly which is all that counts at the end. I also had the best welcome when I got into my seat.

After 9ish hours, I traveled back in time and landed at Vancouver International Airport. Getting through passport control was nice and easy. My bags even arrived a few minutes later. Immigration on the other hand was not as fun. Despite the hot officers in their sexy uniforms (seriously, it was like an advertising campaign) it took forever. Almost two hours later I emerged with a brand new work permit and had it grilled into me I was *not* to stay longer the date on there. They are so serious and strict that I would have given away my first adopted baby if they told me to.

I'd arranged accommodation for the first month through AirBnB. So after letting my host know I was on the way, I got accustomed to the Skytrain. Now at the risk of sounding like a horrible person, I am not au fait with public transport. It's just not something I needed to take in my younger days. I realise I sound awful. Later in life I used the MyCiti but when it came to trains and other buses, I never shall I say had the opportunity. And now I've been spoiled for life. The transport here is fast, clean and the best bit air conditioned. It changes everything. I bought my ticket, dragged my bags on and then sat for about 20 minutes and arrived at the station.

I'm currently staying in Burnaby which is a great suburb outside of Zone 1 and the main city centre. It's beautiful, just the right amount of noise and has what I think is the world's largest shopping mall. It took me two days to see all the shops and now at the risk of getting lost, I only venture to the one side.

The house and my host are very similar to your favourite, crazy aunt. She is lovely, very welcoming and the house is definitely a home. She's been quick to help me with lots of information and made the whole process a lot easier. There are several other people in the house. We don't always see each other but when we do everyone is lovely.

So far, so good!

Ex-Oh! Ex-Oh!

It's Finally Here!

After years of planning, saving, stressing, rejoicing and agonising today is the day I leave Cape Town for Canada.

I'll be documenting as much as I can, so keep on reading.

Wish me luck!

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My Life In Gifs Part Dix

When Having My First Sip of Coffee For The Day 

When Having My Second Sip of Coffee For The Day 

What I Think My Seduction Game Looks Like

What My Seduction Game Actually Looks Like 

What People Think When I Tell Them I’m Going Abroad For A Year 

What I Think When I Realise I’m Going Abroad For A Year 

What People Say When I Tell Them I’m Going To Canada 

 

What I Know About Canada 

 

What Else I Know About Canada 

What I Also Know About Canada 

Ex-Oh! Ex-Oh! 

Gifs from here, here, here, here, here, here and here.  

In A Month's Time...

...I'll be in Canada.

This post has taken me so long to write mainly because it's been such a long time in planning. But it's here now.

So to start it all off, is to start at the very beginning.

A couple of years ago, when I got back from Thailand, I made a decision to try and travel. I wanted to do as much stuff as I could before I became a grown up. In my mind, a grown up is someone who owns property and has to take responsibility and care for others. In my mind these are my cute, fat adopted babies. And I never want to regret anything. So while I'm still growing up and only have to care for myself, I have decided to use the time wisely.

So I applied for a year abroad. After lots of paperwork, lots of money and lots of stress, I got accepted for a work and holiday visa in Canada.

Things were looking great until it wasn't. Several dramatic episodes and all my savings vanished. I already have a problem with saving money; in short I cannot. So there were times I was down, there were times when I was convinced myself this was fate and there were times when I was ready to just stop dreaming about this year abroad.

Somehow the universe conspired to help me. And here I am, (almost) ready to leave in a month's time.

It's taken a very long time, hours and hours of research, a lot of will power but on the 8th of July, I'll be flying out of Cape Town International Airport and arriving weirdly the next day in Vancouver.

I'm still kinda processing it all. Not the trip but that in a few weeks I'll be in a new place with no family, no friends and no job. After six years at the same company this is something that keeps me up at night. I have a very important place in a company, something that I worked immensely hard to achieve and it's evident from my coworkers that I was doing a good job. I'm not scared about starting in a junior role or working hard but not having a place, trying to make work besties and struggling to make a living means my anxiety is sky high.

I can count some of the best people in the world as my friends and soon I'll only be contacting them via Facebook and sporadic Whatsapp. No coffee clubs, no cocktail evenings, no gays to make me feel pretty, no girls to laugh with.

And I won't have my family nearby. My family drive me crazy. We're all loud and crazy and there are times when I love not seeing them but the thought of them not being a car ride away, makes me want to cry in the middle of shopping centres when I'm trying to buy trip essentials.

But at the same time, I'll be abroad. I'll find out exactly what type of person I really am when the odds are against me. I'll find out if I really as independent as I always claim to be and I'll make some memories. Even if they're the times I cry in the middle of Vancouver because I haven't made any friends or whether it's slogging it out at two jobs just so I don't get deported. This is one experience I cannot wait to have.

Stay tuned for the ride.

Ex-Oh! Ex-Oh!